Sharp China with Bill Bishop (Preview) A Trump-Xi Call and Meetings to Follow; TikTok Details Clear as Mud; Arcteryx and a Tibetan Fireworks Controversy
Sep 24, 2025
Tensions between Trump and Xi heat up as calls for future meetings emerge, potentially bringing some stabilization. The murky details of a TikTok sale raise eyebrows, with shifting reports and a spotlight on the algorithm. In a surprising turn, China’s purchases of Argentine soybeans leave US farmers on the sidelines. Meanwhile, a controversial Arcteryx fireworks display in Tibet triggers outrage and investigations. It’s a fascinating look at the intricate ties between the US and China.
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Leader-Level Meeting Push
- Trump and Xi agreed to multiple meetings including APEC and a potential Beijing visit early next year.
- The leaders also flagged TikTok approval and follow-up phone calls as part of a thaw in relations.
Thin Details, Big Signals
- The call produced a working group on money laundering tied to fentanyl and vague TikTok discussions.
- Bill Bishop warns details are thin and the TikTok outcome remains unclear.
Summits Calm Bureaucracies
- Upcoming leader meetings tend to reduce bureaucratic escalations and delay aggressive moves like export controls.
- Both sides use summit diplomacy to buy time and avoid destabilizing actions ahead of talks.